NBA - Scola, Yao lead Rockets victory again (+video)

NEW YORK (NBA) - Yao Ming and Luis Scola had big games again for Houston as the Rockets beat the New York Knicks in the Big Apple on Wednesday.

Yao, the China national team center, had a game-high 36 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, and Argentina star Scola scored 19, pouring in nine in the decisive fourth quarter, as the Rockets won 101-92.

New York appeared to lose their focus in the fourth quarter after coach Isiah Thomas was tossed from the game after walking onto the floor to argue with the referees that Yao should been whistled for a three-second violation.

He was ejected a minute into the final period and Houston (19-17) went on to outscore their hosts 26-18 in the frame.

New York dropped to 9-25 with the setback.

Spain international Jose Calderon scored 17 and handed out nine assists and former Maccabi Tel Aviv star Anthony Parker led the team with 22 points as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 109-96.

Toronto led 52-50 at half-time but outscored Philadelphia (14-22) 27-16 in the third quarter to take command.

The Raptors, who also got 21 points from Team USA center Chris Bosh, improved to 18-17 on the season, and picked up a game on Atlantic Division leaders Boston who had their nine-game winning streak snapped in a 95-83 upset by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Joe Johnson, who represented the United States at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, tore apart the Cleveland Cavaliers (18-18) with 29 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks (16-16) to a 90-81 victory.

Germany's national team talisman Dirk Nowitzki, the NBA's MVP last season, scored 23 points to fire the Dallas Mavericks to a 102-86 win over the Detroit Pistons.

In other games, the New Jersey Nets defeated Seattle 99-88, Milwaukee beat the Miami Heat 98-92, the Los Angeles Lakers thumped the New Orleans Hornets 109-80, Phoenix overcame Indian 129-122, Portland hammered Golden State 109-91 and Orlando held on for a 113-106 win over the LA Clippers.

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